For centuries, most of the world’s leading societies have been dominated by patriarchal structures. Finally, times are changing! Women are stepping into leadership roles more than ever before, but did you know that some cultures have always been governed by women? These matriarchal societies grant women authority over land, family decisions, and social structures. It’s been a long time coming. Let’s take a look at a few global societies that have long been run by women:
Mosuo (China)
Known as the Kingdom of Women, the Mosuo people follow a matriarchal system where property and family names are passed down through generations of women. Instead of traditional marriage, they practice “walking” marriages where partners don’t cohabit permanently and simply have regular visits. Children are raised by their mothers, and uncles take on fatherly roles rather than their biological fathers. It’s a world apart from Western traditions, but fascinating!
Enxet Tribe (Paraguay)
The Enxet people, an indigenous group in Paraguay, follow a matrilineal structure where lineage and inheritance pass through women. It is women who hold authority in family and community matters, also making key decisions about land and social organization. Enxet women also play an active role in leadership and decision-making. It was these strong women who opened the first school of Enxet sometime during the early nineteenth century.
Odisha Women (India)
In Odisha, women-led governance is most evident in tribal communities like the Bonda and Santal, where matriarchal traditions shape daily life. In Bonda society, women control family finances, inherit property, and play a central role in decision-making. Among the Santals, women actively participate in community councils and numerous economic activities, including weaving, pottery, and selling forest produce. It is these women who dominate trade and guarantee economic stability.
Minangkabau (Indonesia)
The Minangkabau of Indonesia is the world’s largest matrilineal society. Women inherit land and wealth, while men hold political roles but must consult female family members before making major decisions. Unlike many traditional cultures, husbands move into their wife’s home after marriage, and women oversee family affairs, which reinforces their central role in society. As if they’re not busy enough, they are also skilled in trading, agriculture, and running small businesses!
Khasi (India)
The Khasi people of Meghalaya, India, pass family names and property through the female line. The youngest daughter inherits the family wealth, and men adopt their wife’s surname after marriage—vastly different from common Indian marital traditions. Though men do actively participate in governance, it is women who hold primary control over all domestic and economic matters. This ensures the preservation of their long-held traditions.
Umoja (Kenya)
Related closely to the Maasai, Umoja is a rare example of a modern, all-female society. Founded by Samburu women fleeing domestic violence, the village forbids men from even living there! Women manage all aspects of life, from governance to economic activities like beadwork. One remarkable aspect of Umoja’s work involves providing a safe haven for women seeking independence and security. Many of these women are fleeing gender-based violence and forced marriages.
Garasia (India)
Unlike many other Indian communities, the Garasia tribe of India grants women property rights and significant autonomy in marriage decisions. Women can choose their partners, and divorce is socially accepted. Their culture contrasts sharply with the male-dominated norms of traditional Indian society and places a strong emphasis on female independence. They also happen to be skilled artisans, creating meaningful bead designs that are an important source of income.
Akan (Ghana)
The Akan people follow a matrilineal system where wealth, titles, and succession pass through the mother’s lineage. Women play vital roles in decision-making, especially through the position of the Queen Mother, who advises male chiefs and ensures leadership remains within the maternal family line. They often have the right to select the king and are deeply involved in the political and ceremonial life of the Akan Kingdoms.
Garo (India & Bangladesh)
The Garo people practice matrilineal inheritance, where the youngest daughter inherits family property, and men move into their wife’s household after marriage. Women manage household affairs while also holding significant influence in community matters. The only thing that men participate in is external governance; the rest is up to the women within the community. The Garo people are also known for their vibrant dance traditions that highlight their matrilineal society’s emphasis on harmony and joy.
Hopi (United States)
The Hopi, a Native American tribe, have a matrilineal society where women inherit land and govern key household decisions. Grandmothers and mothers carry immense influence, particularly in land distribution and longstanding spiritual traditions to honor their ancestors and seek blessings for good harvests, rain, and prosperity. Men fulfill all external roles but largely depend on female guidance for cultural and familial matters.
Tuareg (North Africa)
The Tuareg, a nomadic Berber people, follow matrilineal customs where women own tents, property, and livestock. Women have the freedom to choose and divorce husbands, and their poetry and songs about war, love, and women shape cultural traditions. These songs often tell stories of love, life in the desert, and the struggles of the Tuareg people. Unlike in many Islamic societies, it is the Tuareg men who veil their faces, not the women.
Peruvian Amazon Company
In the Peruvian Amazon, among Indigenous communities, women play a central role in the social, economic, and cultural fabric of their societies. Many of these communities are highly matrilineal with women holding significant influence, particularly in decision-making processes, land management, and cultural preservation. In more recent years, women-led initiatives in the Peruvian Amazon have gained traction in the West, especially in the sustainable business and eco-tourism sectors.
